Chem-Dry Carpet And Upholstery Cleaning FAQs

Are Chem-Dry products safe for my kids and pets?

All of the ingredients in Chem-Dry's primary cleaner, The Natural, are on the F.D.A.'s G.R.A.S. (Generally Recognised as Safe) list and are safe for your carpets, your home and your family. The Natural does not contain any soaps or harsh chemicals.

Is Chem-Dry a steam cleaner?

No, Chem-Dry is not a steam cleaner. Chem-Dry uses carbonation to lift up dirt and grime from your carpets so we do not need to use the litres of water that typical steam carpet cleaners use.

Does Chem-Dry offer specials for carpet cleaning?

Chem-Dry does occasionally offer coupons, specials and promo codes. You can find our current coupons on the Coupon page.

Compare Chem-Dry vs. steam cleaning

Traditional steam cleaning saturates your carpet with an excessive amount of water filled with soaps and detergents. So you’re left with wet carpets for 1-2 days, which creates a breeding ground for mould, mildew and bacteria. Plus the soapy residue left behind attracts dirt and causes your carpets to get dirty much faster.

Chem-Dry’s process is different. We employ millions of microscopic bubbles to explode dirt from deep in your carpet fibres, which is why we only need to use a fraction of the water that typical steam cleaning uses. After the carbonation releases and lifts the dirt, our high powered equipment extracts the dirt and moisture from the carpet.

Chem-Dry’s cleaning process is better and healthier than other methods for your carpet and upholstery cleaning. Chem-Dry’s unique hot carbonating extraction carpet cleaning method uses the power of carbonation to extract more dirt and grime from your carpets, giving them a deeper and longer lasting clean.

Chem-Dry’s signature cleaning solution, The Natural®, is a cleaning mixture that—through the power of carbonation—lifts dirt to the surface where it is whisked away. The Natural is non-toxic and ideal for homes with kids and pets and has received the Green Certification.

Why do I need protectant on my carpets?

Most new carpets come with a factory-applied protectant but this wears off over time. Reapplying a protectant on your carpets can help resist stains and soiling, so your carpets will stay cleaner longer. Another reason protectant is a smart investment is that it slows the ageing and wearing process and can extend the life of your carpets.

How do you remove pet urine odour from carpets?

Pet odours can linger on for months if not treated properly. As urine dries in the carpet and padding, what’s left are millions of concentrated urine crystals that become even more pungent. Many companies just mask this odour.

Chem-Dry uses a patented system, P.U.R.T.® (Pet Urine Removal Treatment) to explode the urine crystals and break down the enzymes which get rid of the pet urine odour forever.

Will my carpets re-soil quickly after the cleaning is finished?

Many carpet cleaners including steam cleaners use soaps and detergents in their process. This often leaves behind a sticky residue on your carpets that attracts dirt, leads to carpets re-soiling quickly after being cleaned and often requires more frequent professional cleanings.

At Chem-Dry, we use an all-natural, biodegradable carpet and upholstery cleaning solution that doesn’t contain any soaps, detergents or harsh chemicals, so it won’t leave behind any sticky or filmy residues to attract dirt.

How long will it take for my carpets to dry completely?

Drying time depends on humidity levels, airflow to the room(s) cleaned, and the type of carpet. In general, turning on your air conditioning or fans will help accelerate dry times. After a Chem-Dry professional cleaning, it typically takes 1-4 hours for the carpet to dry. Sometimes carpets can take longer to dry for various reasons.

How often should I have my carpets cleaned?

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) suggests that homeowners clean their carpets every 3-6 months. If you have kids, pets or if someone in your home has asthma or allergies, it’s advisable to do it even more frequently.

Regular cleaning will not only improve your home’s appearance, but it will eliminate germs and allergens, improve your home’s indoor air quality and extend the life of your carpeting.

Should I vacuum before you arrive?

This is not necessary. Chem-Dry’s professionally trained technicians will vacuum your carpets with our commercial, HEPA-filtered vacuum when they arrive as a standard part of our service.

Why does Chem-Dry not use as much water to clean my carpets as steam cleaning does?

Chem-Dry uses up to 80% less water than typical steam cleaning because of its carbonated cleaner, The Natural, relies on millions of microscopic bubbles to release dirt and grime from the fibres of your carpet and raise it to the surface where it can easily be swept away.

This low-water, low-pressure approach is healthier for your carpets, allows your carpets to dry in only 1-4 hours and is also more environmentally friendly.

Can other carpet cleaning methods actually hurt my carpets?

Yes. Typical steam cleaning uses a process of dumping large amounts of soapy water into your carpets and then trying to suck it all back out. Because a large amount of water results in an extended drying time, usually 1-2 days, this method can actually cause carpets to rot or grow mould.

What is considered a room?

Our room sizes are based on 13 square m. If any of your rooms are over 13 square metres, there may be an additional area charge.

How long does it take for furniture to dry?

In most cases, the furniture dries within just a couple of hours, but in some cases, it may take overnight to fully dry depending on the fabric and soil condition.

Then, we use our extraction equipment to remove the cleaning solution, dirt, soil and airborne contaminants from your furniture, leaving it with a deeper, healthier clean than other alternatives.

How often do upholstery manufacturers recommend that you clean furniture items?

Manufacturers recommend professional upholstery cleanings every 24-48 months. As with carpets, the presence of kids, pets, allergies and asthma in the home necessitates more frequent cleanings to improve air quality and the overall healthfulness of the home.

Why should I have my upholstered furniture professionally cleaned?

In homes that have carpet, up to 80% of the dust and dirt brought into the home can end up in your furniture and upholstered fabrics.

Why should I have my grout lines sealed?

Grout is a porous material that absorbs soil and spills, just like carpet. Having a sealant applied will help create a protective barrier, giving you more time to clean up dirt and liquid spills before they soak into the grout. The type of sealant you choose will determine the degree of stain resistance.

Why should I have my tile, stone and grout cleaned?

Just like carpet, dirt builds up over time that dulls your tile or stone’s appearance and discolours your grout. A thorough, professional tile, stone & grout cleaning is the only way to remove the deep-down dirt, make this area of your home look nicer and ensure that all areas of your home are clean and healthy.

How often should I clean my tile, stone, and/or grout?

As with carpet, many factors need to be considered when determining the frequency of cleaning. Foot traffic, children, pets, and routine floor maintenance will affect how often you need to have your tile, stone & grout cleaned.

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* Based on studies conducted by independent laboratories of Chem-Dry's HCE (Hot Carbonating Extraction), P.U.R.T. (Pet Urine Removal Treatment), Granite Countertop Renewal, and Tile, Stone & Grout cleaning processes. Allergens tested were dog and cat dander and dust mite allergen. Pet odor results based on testing with the most common odor sources found in dog and cat urine. Pet urine bacteria results based on Chem-Dry's HCE cleaning process and a sanitizer, combined with P.U.R.T. All bacteria results include use of sanitizer. Figures are an average across multiple tests.